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Nottinghamshire began the NatWest T20 Blast season with victory over Lancashire, while Northamptonshire left it late.

Last Updated: 16/05/14 11:53pm

Samit Patel (left): Took two wickets and also hit a half-century for the Outlaws

All-rounder Patel top scored with 56, his innings including five fours and a six to help the hosts amass 182-5 at Trent Bridge after being put in. It was a total that proved to be enough, the Lightning being bowled out for 149.

Michael Lumb weighed in with 39 while James Taylor (30) and Riki Wessels (25) also made useful contributions for the Outlaws after they had lost Alex Hales in just the second over.

Lancashire's reply was slow until Jos Buttler came to the crease, as he hit 18 in a hurry. However, his departure to Steven Mullaney (3-46) tilted the balance in Nottinghamshire's favour, despite Jordan Clark making 44 off 20 deliveries.

At Headingley, defending champions Northamptonshire opened their campaign with a thrilling three-wicket triumph over Yorkshire that was sealed with just one ball to spare.

Needing 13 off the last, Ben Duckett (39 not out) blasted a six to help the Steelbacks get over the line. David Willey - a star of their Finals Day success in 2013 - had made 43 at the top of the visitors' order, while Steven Crook contributed 29.

It appeared they would be chasing a lot less than 163 when Yorkshire slipped to 87-6 in their innings, Adil Rashid and Jonny Bairstow falling in successive deliveries to Ian Butler.

New Zealander Butler was the pick of the Northants attack with 4-25, though Tim Bresnan's unbeaten 34 and 36 from Liam Plunkett at least carried the Vikings to a competitive final total of 162-7.

Styris stars

Elsewhere in the North Group, Scott Styris made an immediate impact with Leicestershire as he helped his new employers to a 27-run victory over Derbyshire at Grace Road.

The experienced New Zealander marked his first appearance for his latest county by making 63 not out from just 31 deliveries, helping the Foxes fire their way to 197-4 after being inserted.

Home skipper Josh Cobb made 38 as he helped put on 70 for the second wicket after Niall O'Brien had become the first wicket to fall in the new-look competition, falling for a duck to Mark Footitt from the second ball of the contest.

Marcus North did all he could in Derbyshire's chase, making 90 thanks to six sixes and the same number of fours. Yet only two of his colleagues made it into double figures in an innings that eventually finished up at 170-7, Nathan Buck picking up 3-26.

Durham recovered from 33-3 to make 173-4 against Worcestershire - then duly swept the Rapids out for 144 with an over to spare at Chester-le-Street.

Scotland international Calum MacLeod made an unbeaten 80 from number three in the order as he and Paul Collingwood, who hit 62, put on a 113-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Collingwood then completed a fine all-round display by taking 3-29 with the ball. Usman Arshad and Gareth Breese also claimed two wickets apiece to make sure the visitors fell 29 runs short.